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Ezk. 2-3. 1 Cor. 2:1-4. 1 And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
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1 Cor. 2:1-4 1 And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Jer 20:7 O Jehovah, thou hast persuaded me, and I was persuaded; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me. 8 For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, Violence and destruction! because the word of Jehovah is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day. 9 And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain.
WALKING A MILE IN EZEKIEL’S SHOES I. EZEKIEL SENT TO THE REBELLIOUS. (Ezk. 2:1 - 7) A. Speak “Thus Sayeth The Lord” (2:4). B. Hear or Not – They Shall Know A Prophet Has Been Among Them (2:5). C. Do Not Fear Them, Their Words or Looks (2:6). WOULD YOU WANT HIS JOB? WOULD YOU WANT TO BE RESENTED FOR TEACHING TRUTH?
WALKING A MILE IN EZEKIEL’S SHOES II. EZEKIEL WARNED OF REBELLION (Ezk. 2:8 – 3:11) A. Be Not Thou Rebellious (2:8). B. Fill Yourself With God’s Word (2:8b- 3:3). 1. Negative message (2:10). 2. Sweetness (3:3) – For it is God’s Word! C. Warned That Some Would Not Listen Before He Even Started (3:4-11)! D. Still To Speak “All” God’s Words (3:10). WOULD YOU PREACH A “NEGATIVE” MESSAGE & STILL CONSIDER IT SWEET?
WALKING A MILE IN EZEKIEL’S SHOES A. Ezekiel overwhelmed just one week (3:15). III. EZEKIEL’S DELAY (Ezk. 3:12 - 21) B. God Rebukes Ezekiel: 1. God expected obedience, not delay (3:16f). 2. If he did not warn, Ezekiel heldaccountable (3:18, 20)! 3. If he warned, Ezekiel saved himself (3:19; cp Acts 20:20, 26-27)! 4. If he warned, he might save some (3:21)! WOULD YOU PREACH WITH URGENCY?
WALKING A MILE IN EZEKIEL’S SHOES A. Ezekiel made to fear God (3:23; Is. 6:1-13). IV. A LESSON FOR EZEKIEL (Ezk. 3:22-27) B. Ezekiel will be chained (3:25; Jer. 1:17). C. Ezekiel “gets his wish” (3:26). D. Ezekiel will be allowed another chance to obey God (3:27; 1 Cor. 4:2; 2 Tim. 4:1-2). WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET YOUR WISH TO CEASE REPROOVING OTHERS?
Jer 20:7 O Jehovah, thou hast persuaded me, and I was persuaded; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me. 8 For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, Violence and destruction! because the word of Jehovah is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day. 9 And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain.
Jer 20:10 For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, say all my familiar friends, they that watch for my fall; peradventure he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. 11 But Jehovah is with me as a mighty one and a terrible… they shall not prevail... 2Cor 12:19 Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
WALKING A MILE IN EZEKIEL’S SHOES 1. Do we resent it when our sins are exposed? CONCLUSION: 2. Do “negative” messages make us bitter? 3. Does urgency turn us off? 4. Be careful what you wish for, you may get it… Heaven Is A Prepared Place, For A Prepared People. (Rev. 21:27; 1 Pet. 4:17-19;